He termed the attacks “callous and wanton”, saying that such cross-border strikes would further alienate the locals and ultimately prove to be counterproductive.

He was talking to German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung at the Joint Staff Headquarters. He said Pakistan reserved the right to “appropriately retaliate”.

The German minister exchanged views with the JCSC chairman focussing on bilateral ties and the regional security environment. Gen Tariq reiterated that a stable Afghanistan was in the interest of the region as well as Pakistan.

He accused the Afghan leadership of slandering Pakistan only to cover up its failings.

Blaming Pakistan’s intelligence agencies for recent killings of foreign nationals in Afghanistan was a case in point, he added.

Gen Tariq appreciated Germany’s “pragmatism” in dealing with the security situation in Afghanistan.

Mr Jung appreciated the pivotal role of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and its invaluable support to forces operating in Afghanistan.

The German minister also called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The prime minister observed the German government’s decision to allow export of small arms would strengthen Pakistan’s hand in the fight against terror.

Mr Gilani said that Pakistan is firmly committed to fighting terrorism. He briefed the German defence minister about Pakistan’s three-pronged strategy.

He called on the allied forces to desist from undertaking attacks on Pakistan’s territory as it led to sympathy for militants.